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Dr. Krum to play in pickleball pro tourney
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Posted on Feb 09 2023
Pickleball Federation of the Northern Mariana Islands president Nelson Krum, left, in action during a tournament at the Capitol Hill tennis courts in this file photo. (MARK RABAGO)
Pickleball Federation of the Northern Mariana Islands president Dr. Nelson Krum is bound for his first professional pickleball tournament—the Arizona Grand Slam in Mesa, Arizona—on Feb. 16 and 17.
Before the Grand Slam, the dentist at the Paradise Dental Spa will first be competing in the PebbleCreek 2023 in Goodyear, Arizona today, Feb. 9, with doubles partner Dotti Berry from Washington state. His partner for the Grand Slam is Brian Blanchard from Colorado.
“I have not met or played with either of them, so it will be fun figuring [out] our styles, strengths, and weaknesses. They are both rated as 4.0 players for this tournament,” Krum said.
The soon-to-be 70-year-old was asked how he felt heading into his first professional tournament and he said, “I am getting nervous about the upcoming tournament in Arizona! This is my first sanctioned tournament, and as far as I know the first sanctioned pickleball tournament that anybody from Saipan has played in.”
Krum, who’s turning 70 years old this Feb. 15, is actually the youngest player in his division, “Not many 70-year-olds get to say that!” he exclaimed.
With the competition, he said “I expect the competition to be strong. There are over 700 players signed up to compete in the tournament. All of the top pros will be competing.”
As for what his pickleball rating is, Krum said “I am self-rating myself as a 4.0 player, based on competition here and in Guam. I’ll find out at this tournament if my assessment is close!
He added, “I will come out of the tournament with a DUPR rating which is the official rating system for pickleball.”
The Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating is the most accurate and only global rating system in pickleball. All players, regardless of their age, gender, location, or skill, are rated on the same scale between 2.00-8.00 based on their match results.
For those who don’t know what pickleball is, it is a cross between tennis, ping-pong, and badminton. You can watch to learn more or join their daily night games at the American Memorial Park tennis courts.
